50268 Comn 348 01 Advanced Organizational Communication
Spring 2004 M & W 3:30 – 4:45 p.m. Welles 123
Instructor:
Dr. Mary L. Mohan -- Department of Communication Blake B 115
Office Hours:
Office Hours:
Tuesday - 10:30 - Noon
Wednesday - 2 - 3 p.m.
Friday - 9:30 - 10 a.m.
*and other times by scheduled appointment
If you need to reach me, please leave a message at:
Voice Mail - 245-5233 or E-Mail - mohan@geneseo.edu
Text:
Weekly Readings will be placed on Milne Library’s E-Res – Comn 348 course page – Password
to access readings is: orgcom (see course outline for due dates).
Learning Outcomes:
You will develop a deeper understanding of both classical and contemporary theories of
organizational communication and critique their relevance in 21st century organizations.
You will apply theoretical knowledge to create an organization of the future.
You will develop a clearer understanding of your own personal career path in a variety of
organizational contexts.
Course Theme: The Future
How are organizations changing their structure and function to deal
with future trends?
What will be your role in the organizations of the future?
Assignment Overview
Each of the assignments will be weighted equally to determine your final average.
Weekly Electronic Text Readings and Class Handouts/Cases & Exercises:
Drawing from a wide range of the most contemporary business and organizational communication research, you
will be expected to read the assigned 1-2 articles or chapters weekly. The readings selected for the class all
advance your knowledge of the basic organizational communication theories you studied in Comn 248, and will
focus on the theme of organizations in the future (ie. trend analysis, team-based networks, advances in
management style etc…) Class discussion will be in a seminar format, where you will have the opportunity to
critically examine the concepts in the weekly readings. In addition, there may be a written response or creative
class exercise that will be counted in your participation grade for that day. There will be no make-ups on any of the
in-class assignments, you need to be present and prepared to earn the points.
Design Your Own Organization – Group Project
Working with a group, research possibilities for a successful business enterprise to be launched in the first portion
of the 21st century (approximately a decade after your graduation). Use a broad range of sources to determine
upcoming trends and areas of future development. Creative thought is encouraged; this should be a completely
unique enterprise. Each group should submit a final report/outline containing a rationale for their business venture,
references, organizational structure, description of the founding culture, and plan for communication strategies
(internal & external). Final Team Organizational Designs will be presented to the class and judged by expert
consultants or practitioners from the business world. Award Certificates will be presented to the top group/s as
rated by communication and business professionals. Both a group and individual grade will be assigned.
Personal Career Path Planner
As you plan to enter the professional world in the 21 st century, organizational analysts predict that individuals tend
to have an average of three-five careers/positions in their lifetime. Increased downsizing initiatives in corporations
frequently enhance this trend of multiple positions. Although you may not even be sure of what you are doing next
week, I challenge you to prepare a hypothetical scenario of what your career path may look like in the decades
ahead. This project entails researching a minimum of three career and/or advanced educational opportunities, and
then explaining your interest and skill development to prepare for each area. Creativity is highly encouraged; you
could present each position in hypothetical resume format, write a story/journal of your future life etc... You may
provide detailed plans for what you anticipate your personal and professional life may entail, and how you can
achieve a balance in these areas. In order to design your planner, a variety of references such as websites on
particular organizations or graduate programs, interviews with professionals, or materials from the Career Services
Library in Blake A is strongly advised.
Final Exam: Friday, April 30 – 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
The final exam will be a choice of several broadly-based essay questions that assess your understanding of the
overriding concepts presented in readings, class lecture/discussion, or by the guest speakers throughout the class.
Taking detailed notes on the assigned readings and thoroughly critiquing the concepts presented weekly will assist
you in your performance on the final exam.
Course Outline:
Note: Schedule may be revised to meet student needs and/or guest speaker availability
January
M
W
M
W
M
W
February
M
W
M
W
M
W
12
14
19
21
26
28
Orientation to Course
Review sheet & display of sample group/individual projects
FREE- Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
2
Reading Due: Ouichi (in Morgan) Theory Z (CH. 40)
Japanese Management: The Art of Self Regulation”
Reading Due: Jackerman (in Morgan) - Life in the Fast Lane at Datsun
Reading Due: Bolman & Deal (CH. 7)- Improving Human Resource Management
4
9
11
16
18
Reading Due: CH. 1 Eisenberg: Communication and the Changing World of Work
Reading Due: CH. 10 Eisenberg: Communicating in Teams and Networks
“ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “
HRD Training Exercise on “Change” and/or Guest Speaker
“ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “
Library Session on Researching Future Organizations
M
W
23
25
Reading Due: Bolman & Deal (CH. 12) Organizational Culture and Symbols
M
W
1
3
Guest Speaker and Exercises
Reading Due: Mohan: Evolution of Vision/Mission in Museum Corporate Culture
March
Reading Due: Wilkins (in Morgan) Corporate Culture: Role of Stories
Spring Break Week
M
15
Reading Due: Rowley (Chs. 8,9) from On Target
Management Excellence & Guides for Growth
W
M
W
M
W
17
22
24
29
31
Discussion on Target & other culture case studies
M
W
5
7
Research Period – Career Path Planner
Reading Due: Bolman & Deal – Reframing Leadership
Group Prep/Conference Period for Future Organization Projects
Presentation of Group Projects – Future Organizations
“ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “
April
Readings Due: Tichy & Ulrich (in Morgan) Transformational Leadership
Goffee & Jones – Why Should Anyone be Led By You? Harvard Business Review
Reading Due: Goleman – What Makes a Leader? – Harvard Business Review
Reading Due: Kellerman – Leadership Warts & All - Harvard Business Review
M
12
W
14
M
19
Presentation of Career Path Planners
W
21
“ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “
M
26
Review for Final Essay Exam
Final Exam: Friday, April 30 – 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Sources for Weekly Reading Assignments
Note: see course outline and E-Res (Comn 348, Password: orgcom) for specific article titles and
Journal citations from HBR.
Harvard Business Review (2003 – 04)
Eisenberg, E. M. & Goodall, H. L. (2004). Organizational communication: Balancing creativity
and constraint. Bedford St. Martin’s.
Morgan, G. (1989). Creative organization theory: A resourcebook. Sage.
Bolman, L. G. & Deal, T. E. (2003). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice and leadership.
Jossey Bass.
Rowley, L. (2003). On Target: How the world’s hottest retailer hit a bull’s-eye. Wiley.
Pinchot, G. (1993). The end of bureaucracy and the rise of the intelligent organization.
Berrett-Koehler.